I Kings 1:1-15
“And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.” (I Kings 3:1)
Solomon made a treaty with the king of Egypt, marrying his daughter as a means of ensuring peace between Israel and Egypt. It was a common practice to maintain an alliance until just a few years ago. Unfortunately, in-laws don’t always get along, and it can make things worse. Ultimately Solomon would marry seven hundred princesses for this purpose. They made their home in Jerusalem until his palace and the temple were finished and Jerusalem was fortified.
“Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days. And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.(I Kings 3:2-4)
Samuel had established three other places where the Israelites could go to worship God besides where the Tabernacle was set up. It was inconvenient to always go to the tabernacle so people frequently went up on a mountain or high hill to worship God, like the previous inhabitants, using the excuse that there was no temple. It often led to idolatry.
Solomon loved the Lord and followed all his commands, except for one. Like the others’ he worshipped in the high places, particularly the place in Gibeon, where he offered over a thousand different offerings. In doing so, he violated God’s command in Deuteronomy 12:2-5. “Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God. But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come.”
When Solomon first started as king this was the only real sin he practiced. Unfortunately, because he set the example, it would become a serious problem for Israel in the future, although it didn‘t seem very important at the time. In the mean time, he was still trying to serve God, and would be blessed for his efforts.
“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (I Kings 3:5-9)
Because of Solomon’s sincere desire to please God, God offered him what ever he wanted. Solomon was still humble about being selected as king and realized he didn’t know everything. He asked God for the wisdom to lead the people properly, and to be able to tell the difference between good and bad. Few political leaders realize they don’t really understand what their people face.
“And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.” (I Kings 3:10-12)
In the standards for church leaders in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1, there is an emphasis on a meek spirit, not self willed, patient, and not soon angry. That Solomon was more concerned with helping the people than getting his own way or building his reputation or wealth pleased God. He agreed to give Solomon wisdom greater than any leader before or since. Conflicts of interest cause most leaders to make really foolish decisions.
“And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.” (I Kings 3:13-14)
Because Solomon was willing to set self interest aside, God promised to give him not only the wisdom he asked for, but greater riches than any king of his time as well. Many leaders today consider only their short term benefits because they don’t understand that what is best for everyone ultimately benefits them more also.
“And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.” (I Kings 3:15)
Solomon had been offering sacrifices at Gibeon. Interestingly, when he realized God had spoken to him he returned to Jerusalem to offer God thanks at the ark of the covenant, rather than in the high place in Gibeon. When people are really devoted to God, worshipping out in nature seldom is good enough.
“And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.” (I Kings 3:1)
Solomon made a treaty with the king of Egypt, marrying his daughter as a means of ensuring peace between Israel and Egypt. It was a common practice to maintain an alliance until just a few years ago. Unfortunately, in-laws don’t always get along, and it can make things worse. Ultimately Solomon would marry seven hundred princesses for this purpose. They made their home in Jerusalem until his palace and the temple were finished and Jerusalem was fortified.
“Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the LORD, until those days. And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.(I Kings 3:2-4)
Samuel had established three other places where the Israelites could go to worship God besides where the Tabernacle was set up. It was inconvenient to always go to the tabernacle so people frequently went up on a mountain or high hill to worship God, like the previous inhabitants, using the excuse that there was no temple. It often led to idolatry.
Solomon loved the Lord and followed all his commands, except for one. Like the others’ he worshipped in the high places, particularly the place in Gibeon, where he offered over a thousand different offerings. In doing so, he violated God’s command in Deuteronomy 12:2-5. “Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God. But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come.”
When Solomon first started as king this was the only real sin he practiced. Unfortunately, because he set the example, it would become a serious problem for Israel in the future, although it didn‘t seem very important at the time. In the mean time, he was still trying to serve God, and would be blessed for his efforts.
“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (I Kings 3:5-9)
Because of Solomon’s sincere desire to please God, God offered him what ever he wanted. Solomon was still humble about being selected as king and realized he didn’t know everything. He asked God for the wisdom to lead the people properly, and to be able to tell the difference between good and bad. Few political leaders realize they don’t really understand what their people face.
“And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.” (I Kings 3:10-12)
In the standards for church leaders in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1, there is an emphasis on a meek spirit, not self willed, patient, and not soon angry. That Solomon was more concerned with helping the people than getting his own way or building his reputation or wealth pleased God. He agreed to give Solomon wisdom greater than any leader before or since. Conflicts of interest cause most leaders to make really foolish decisions.
“And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.” (I Kings 3:13-14)
Because Solomon was willing to set self interest aside, God promised to give him not only the wisdom he asked for, but greater riches than any king of his time as well. Many leaders today consider only their short term benefits because they don’t understand that what is best for everyone ultimately benefits them more also.
“And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.” (I Kings 3:15)
Solomon had been offering sacrifices at Gibeon. Interestingly, when he realized God had spoken to him he returned to Jerusalem to offer God thanks at the ark of the covenant, rather than in the high place in Gibeon. When people are really devoted to God, worshipping out in nature seldom is good enough.
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